State House: 3 gain leads in quest for Tallahassee
But in the GOP's northwest Hillsborough primary, the results were inconclusive.
By Times staff writers
Published September 1, 2004
TAMPA - State House District 47 reported the lowest vote returns in all of Hillsborough County, making it impossible at press time to determine who will represent northwest Hillsborough for the next two years.
The bitterly fought race pitted first-term incumbent Kevin Ambler, R-Tampa, against longtime Republican insider Bill Bunkley. While both accused the other of character assassination, most of the negative ads came from outside political groups backed by powerful business lobbies.
The delays were deja vu for Ambler. In 2002, he didn't find out until the next day whether he had beaten Republican opponent Jill Collins. Election workers had to retrieve the last voting module from a volunteer who had taken it home.
With 2 percent of the vote counted, Ambler said he was encouraged by early returns that gave him a slight lead.
"It is frustrating because the whole benefit of electronic voting was to get your votes quickly and definitively," Ambler, 43, said.
A successful trial attorney, Ambler gained a reputation as an independent conservative who challenged outgoing House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, on malpractice reform. Bunkley, a Carrollwood real estate agent and lobbyist for the Florida Baptist Convention, tried to paint Ambler as a greedy trial lawyer and moderate Republican.
The winner will face Libertarian Kim Snow, 30, in the general election.
- JOSH ZIMMER
District 56: Trey Traviesa leads
TAMPA - Political newcomer Trey Traviesa appeared to have defeated five Republican opponents in the race for the State House District 56 seat.
Traviesa, a former banker and venture capitalist, hinged his campaign on using his business experience to make government run more efficiently.
With 55 percent of precincts reporting, Traviesa had 30 percent of the vote, 8 percentage points ahead of his closest opponent, Lisa DeVitto.
"These results say that a message of family values and a message of business principles applied to government found a home in the hearts of voters," Traviesa said.
If his lead holds, Traviesa will face write-in candidate Cornelius "Neil" Cosentino in the general election in November.
The sprawling District 56 seat takes in parts of South Tampa, the port, suburban Brandon and quickly disappearing rural areas around FishHawk Ranch.
Two of Traviesa's opponents had substantial political experience.
DeVitto, a South Tampa attorney, spent three years as a legislative assistant to state Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon. Brandon attorney Chris Tompkins worked as a legislative aide for State Rep. Faye Culp.
The other candidates were Frank Shannon, who campaigned on his commitment to ultraconservative principles; Riverview real estate agent Deven Wanda Carty; and corporate trainer Tim Mimbs.
- JANET ZINK
District 60: Karen Perez leads
TAMPA - Democratic Party leaders said they found the Republican incumbent's match in Karen Perez, a New Tampa social worker and therapist, in the race for House District 60.
Her opponent wasn't convinced, but voters seemed to be.
Perez appeared poised to become the Democratic nominee Tuesday, besting challenger Dave Penoyer.
"I'm excited that the Tampa Bay area has this much faith in me," she said. "I'm excited that I can work toward making our families and our communities have their voices heard in Tallahassee."
For Perez, the primary was a breeze. Penoyer didn't have Perez's financial muscle (Penoyer had $4,836.79 to Perez's $9,281.49) or the four-month head start she had (Perez announced her candidacy in January; he announced his in May).
But the race toward the Nov. 2 general election may not be as smooth. Perez faces stiff competition from incumbent Rep. Ed Homan, a Temple Terrace orthopedic surgeon with a war chest ($116,235.17) 13 times larger than Perez's. And Homan has something else Perez does not have: experience in Tallahassee.
It doesn't faze Perez, who celebrated her win at the Grand Reserve at Tampa Palms.
"I've worked 14 years here in the Tampa Bay area as an advocate for my community," she said. "I'm just taking it to the House now."
District 60 includes Lake Magdalene, Lutz, Mango, New Tampa, Temple Terrace and Thonotosassa.
- RODNEY THRASH
District 62: Rich Glorioso leads
BRANDON - Rich Glorioso led early returns in the three-way Republican primary for State House District 62 in east Hillsborough County.
"I believe that I'm the most qualified candidate; I'm the most experienced candidate; and I'll do the best job," said Glorioso, 60.
The retired Air Force colonel has been elected to two terms on the Plant City Commission and was an appointee to the county Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Josh Burgin, another Plant City resident, trailed Glorioso. Burgin, 28, works for his family's packing and produce company.
"I'm excited about our possibilities," Burgin said, noting that many precincts had yet to report.
Valrico banker Arlene Waldron was running third.
"I've run a very strong, positive campaign that I am proud of," said Waldron, 47.
The winner will face Democrat Ashley Smith and Libertarian James Clifford in November.
